I'd rather create a long term plan rather than go all in on turning a 2-14 team into a playoff team for one year. Let's take out all the garbage and eat all the dead money right now so we don't have to worry about it later.

What dead money do you speak of? The only players with significant dead money is Andre, Schaub, Jjo, DBrown, Cushing & Arian. All of them signed through 2016 with the exception of Jjo.

Maybe we're using the words differently, but you can't "eat" all the dead money, unless you cut the players. Otherwise, you're pushing their dead money into the next season.

Do you think we should cut Andre, Schaub, Jjo, DBrown, Cush, or Arian?

If not, if you think most of the people on that list is part of the future of the Houston Texans, we're retooling, not rebuilding.

Some of you pessimistic people make me laugh. So far, they let go of Mitchell, Sharpton, Daniels, Smith, McCain. They got rid of more negatives than positives, as Sharpton, McCain, and Mitchell were all useless. Smith can be replaced, as can Daniels, he is no longer the pro bowl TE we all once knew. It was time for younger talent, and they need to be able to draft instead of going out and make a signing they probably will regret (See. Ed Reed. )

Itīs not about the players we cut - I can live with every cut. And its not about us not signing Peppers or Ware. Itīs about us cutting starters and not signing anybody.

We can`t fill all these holes in the draft. Not even close. We can count on 2-3 starters. 5 if weīre lucky. How many do we need? Iīd say about 10. I am not saying we should`ve signed 7 guys. I am saying we shouldīve tried to get some players that just got out of their rookie contract - players that still have 5 good years left in them. Not 7, but perhaps 2-3, just to make the draft easier and to minimize the holes we have.

Itīs not about the players we cut - I can live with every cut. And its not about us not signing Peppers or Ware. Itīs about us cutting starters and not signing anybody.

We can`t fill all these holes in the draft. Not even close. We can count on 2-3 starters. 5 if weīre lucky. How many do we need? Iīd say about 10. I am not saying we should`ve signed 7 guys. I am saying we shouldīve tried to get some players that just got out of their rookie contract - players that still have 5 good years left in them. Not 7, but perhaps 2-3, just to make the draft easier and to minimize the holes we have.

They were 2-14, they aren't going to spend much money on players who won't be here long term, and would barely make an impact. You draft, then fill the remaining holes in FA.

We'll never do it because McNair is in denial thinking we're a contender, but I think the best thing for this team to do to become good quickly is to write-off the upcoming season.

Take all the cap hits now to put ourselves in better position for FAs in 2015, trade our 1st 2nd and 3rd round picks for a combination of more mid round picks in 2014 and future picks in 2015. Fill some holes and build depth with mid round picks this year, start Keenum and tank the season. That would leave a mega draft in 2015 (draft or trade for Winston), and cap space for free agents that year as well as room for jj's new contract.

Oh, and fire Rick Smith.

It's probably dumb, and practically unheard of in the nfl, and I'm probably playing fantasy GM, so flame away!

They were 2-14, they aren't going to spend much money on players who won't be here long term, and would barely make an impact. You draft, then fill the remaining holes in FA.

That`s what I meant with "take players after their rookie contracts are over so they have 5 more good years left in them."

Our roster was a lot better than 2-14. It was a QB that was imploding, one of the worst kicking performances maybe in the history of the league and a coach that didn`t have a clue how to turn it around. 2 years ago we advanced in the playoffs. We have great players. And we did build through the draft. Most of our best players were drafted by us.

Great teams build a foundation in the draft and complement it with great FA - like we did when we signed Manning and Joseph.

Now I have no insight into how well these moves will work for Lovie down in Tampa. Hell they may all fall completely flat. But, by Gawd, at least he seems to be addressing team weaknesses.

Also, since Tampa only has 5 picks in this year's draft, maybe there was more urgency to do something in free agency.

I really believe the lack of activity in FA means they realize the coming season isn't one in which they compete and because of that , there is little reason to spend in an inflated FA market especially while they are already up against the cap with big money due next year to JJ Watt.

The goals this season are pretty clear : clean up the cap , develop a QB and get their rookie HC some OTJT.

I don't see more than 6 wins max out of this team and thats a huge if we find a competent QB. The front office needs to hit home runs on every draft choice and even that won't fixc all the holes on this team with as little cap space as we have.

According to Bob McNair, while in the middle of his temper tantrum in the midst of firing Gary Kubiak he stated a couple of times that the Texans were a playoff team and a Super Bowl contender. He also said categorically that the Texans were NOT rebuilding. That should tell you all you need to know. (Bob is in denial)

We are re-building because YOUR BOY Gary Kubiak left this team is such a sad state that we have no choice.

And, shame on you for describing McNair's as having a "temper tantrum." That infantiles a man who was more than patient with his loser head coach, and took a lot of heat over the years for decisions made by said head coach.

I say it's half & half. Offensively, we're re-tooling. We'll have a new offensive scheme and philosophy, but with a few additions, we'll be able to use our current personnel as the core of our new offense.

The key, here, will be the QB and his ability to execute OB's complicated scheme. IMO, OB will prefer to go with a proven veteran QB who has the ability to read defenses and make the correct calls at the line of scrimmage. This is the reason there is a reasonable chance that Schaub could be our starter next season. But, going with past history, Schaub could possibly be traded only after we sign or draft another QB who can start. If we go with a rookie draft choice, we'll likely be under .500. A veteran QB, including Schaub, improves our chances to be above .500.

Defensively, because we have a new defensive scheme, and because our current personnel does not fit well, we are more in a re-building mode. On this side of the ball, we need new starters at SOLB, NT, weak side DE, ILB next to Cushing; and we need a Safety and a CB.

Despite the need for more starters on defense, the draft gives us the opportunity to address these needs.

If the Jaguars were 2-14 last year, fired their entire coaching staff and had huge questions at defensive line, linebacker, QB, running back and offensive line, what would you say about them? Would they be rebuilding?

Yes indeed we are in full rebuild mode. There's no two ways about it.

What had the Jags done the 2 previous years though ??? Yeah that was a bad comparison !

__________________
"Oh, yes, and one more thing, dear Lord  about our enemies? Ignore their heathen prayers and help us blow those little bastards straight to hell. Amen again."

We are re-building because YOUR BOY Gary Kubiak left this team is such a sad state that we have no choice.

And, shame on you for describing McNair's as having a "temper tantrum." That infantiles a man who was more than patient with his loser head coach, and took a lot of heat over the years for decisions made by said head coach.

Bob McNair is a dadgum genius when it comes to building energy companies and horse farms. When it comes to building an NFL football team Bob knows less than Jerry Jones.

__________________The GREATEST risk is not taking one. ....Bob, hire Eliot Wolf, then get the hell out of the way.

Anyone looking for a K.C. type of turnaround is either not paying attention or fooling themselves. This is absolutely a rebuild process that will take 2-3 yrs. to complete. I think next year will be an 8-8 record at best. Though I would love for the Texans to prove me wrong.

I'd rather create a long term plan rather than go all in on turning a 2-14 team into a playoff team for one year. Let's take out all the garbage and eat all the dead money right now so we don't have to worry about it later.

I don't expect much this season. I expect an improved product but not a playoff team. Year two I have expectations.

I agree. I'm not saying go all in FA, but I have real concerns about the history of this organization and developing talent and keeping it in house. I do hope a lot that this staff does a much better job of it. If the FO really wants to build through the draft, gotta get better at the draft.

Quote:

Originally Posted by djohn2oo8

Some of you pessimistic people make me laugh. So far, they let go of Mitchell, Sharpton, Daniels, Smith, McCain. They got rid of more negatives than positives, as Sharpton, McCain, and Mitchell were all useless. Smith can be replaced, as can Daniels, he is no longer the pro bowl TE we all once knew. It was time for younger talent, and they need to be able to draft instead of going out and make a signing they probably will regret (See. Ed Reed. )

Either way you slice it, Mitchell was a start, Smith was a quality starter, McCain was the Nickelback, Daniel was a productive starter, Sharpton saw significant playing time. You might not think too highly, but that's production the team currently doesn't really have on roster to replace.

Reed was a gamble, but the FO had it right in terms of a vet who they felt like might he the missing piece on what felt like a team close to getting over the hump. That's what you're supposed to do.

Not saying we should be going on a TB spending spree or toss out large money deals. But, there's been some quiet signings that would've made sense. McFadden went back to Oakland on A cheap deal, with Rate all but gone value deal there. B.S. Taking went back to GB on a one year deal. Hicks took a one year flyer to go to Indy. I'm just saying these are the kind of deals that bridge time for the draftees to develop.